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Getting home late, after a very hectic day at the office, dad had just settled down in his easy chair, newspaper in one hand and a cool glass of tea in the other, when his four year old came down the hall and pounced in his lap. He had a thousand questions, but all dad wanted was to be left alone. “Daddy,” he demanded, “what did you do today?” “Nothing,” came the curt reply from dad. Undaunted, the fellow asked, “But daddy, how did you know when you were done?”

Children need their fathers! Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying fathers are more important than mothers. Both are important! But, it seems to me that many fathers do not appreciate the tremendous trust they have been given. “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).

Child rearing was intended to be a joint venture. Fathers, as well as mothers, have a vital part to play. It is fathers who are called upon to “bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Being a father entails much more than seeing that the bills are paid and that there is food on the table. It means being there to answer their questions, remove their fears, and ease their pain. It means giving yourself!

Don’t get too busy to be a father. If asked the two most important things a father should do for his children, I think I would answer as follows. First, the most important thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. Second, just be there when they need you, and point them to God. It’s not too late to start.